Swift+ 2004 - Live or Let die?

[MetroMPG]

You'll want to keep the swaybar connected. Aveos have the roll stability of the Costa Concordia.

THAT was funny! Thanks for the LOL.

But it's not strictly necessary. Unless it's rattling and driving you nuts.

I agree with the others: if you don't have the funds to replace the car now, and this one has been well looked after (regular service) up to this point, then it's cheaper to keep going with it.

Also, take the initiative to learn some of your own maintenance! Somewhere to begin: the filter replacements you listed are both very easy to do. Also, if you're looking to save pennies, I'd just remove and throw away the cabin filter. I've never had a car that has one. Ask a friend who knows a few things about cars to show you. Provide a beer or two. Learn.

Don't put off the timing belt, though: catastrophic engine damage if it fails.

[staticguard]

It all depends on a lot of different things:

Have you got a quote on that work?
Do you have money for a newer car?
Do you really like the Aveo?

Got a quote for the following parts replacement :
Timing Belt
Idler Pulley
Tensioner
Water pump

All that for 557 CDN$ + tx.
It seems fair to me. I was told that the he would only replace the timing belt at first and would not change the other 3 parts unless required. I still have the original Thermostat Housing... should I change that part too?

[staticguard]

Yeah. I did learn a few thing about my car. Because the car is not worth much, I'm not as afraid as I used to be. I did check the filter for the first time and cleaned the Throttle Body with a toothbrush and cleaner. Unfortunatelly, I still get that high RPM issue when it's cold. I may have to try to clean it with the engine running so some of the cleaner find their way to clean the sensor...

[xintersecty]

If they replace and change the cooling fluid have the t-stat housing changed. When it goes, it goes badly. The replacements are metal.

[ontarian_frog]

Yeah. I did learn a few thing about my car. Because the car is not worth much, I'm not as afraid as I used to be. I did check the filter for the first time and cleaned the Throttle Body with a toothbrush and cleaner. Unfortunatelly, I still get that high RPM issue when it's cold. I may have to try to clean it with the engine running so some of the cleaner find their way to clean the sensor...

How high are the RPMs when cold? That is normal as the IAC opens to warm the car up faster.

[Daox]

Ditto. Fast idle when the engine is cold is something every car does.

You can probably get away without doing the water pump, but I would get the timing belt tensioner replaced. This item has failed on a few (vs the belt snapping) and it does the same amount of damage.

[staticguard]

How high are the RPMs when cold? That is normal as the IAC opens to warm the car up faster.

around 2500 rpm for several seconds. I may even have to turn the engine off and start it again to get normal RPM.

I consider going to 1200 rpm isnormal, but not 2500.

[06T200]

The idler pulley and tensioner should not add too much to the bill, and should not add any additional labor to change them. So I would seriously consider replacing those while in there, as the cost to repair a failed timing belt/pulley is very expensive.

[ontarian_frog]

around 2500 rpm for several seconds. I may even have to turn the engine off and start it again to get normal RPM.

I consider going to 1200 rpm isnormal, but not 2500.

2500 is normal. It depends on temperature. Two things happen when you start a cold engine:

1. More fuel than usual is injected because cars do not have a choke, like the old carburetor engines.
2. Right after the engine starts up, the IAC opens to let more air by the throttle body.

More fuel and more air = faster engine speed. Since everything is controlled by an ECU, no amount of cleaning of the throttle body would make any difference, unless the IAC would stick open. If that were to happen, you would get a MIL and a code would be stored.

I hope that helps. When I had my Wave, in very cold weather (-30 degrees), the engine would rev to over 3000 before dropping back slowly.

[xintersecty]

Ditto. Fast idle when the engine is cold is something every car does.

You can probably get away without doing the water pump, but I would get the timing belt tensioner replaced. This item has failed on a few (vs the belt snapping) and it does the same amount of damage.

Like he said. In fact any decent mechanic would get the "kit" which has the belt tenisoner and pulley.